Fluid dispensing gun



April17, 1934- A. A. SMALLHOUSE 1,955,029

FLUID DISPENSING GUN Filed Feb. 23, 1933 A TTORNEY Patented Apr. 17,1934 UNITED STATES FLUID DISPENSING GUN Albert A. Smallhouse, LosAngeles, Calif., ae-

signor, by direct and mesne assignments, to Charles E. Beck, LosAngeles, Calif.

Application February 23, 1933, Serial No. 658,082

9 Claims. (01. 221-44) This invention has relation to a device for dispensing fluid under high pressure through a nozzle, such as alubricating gun, paint or chemical sprayer and the like. For the sake ofsimplicity of description, the device is hereinafter referred to as agrease gun, but with the understanding, that it is adaptable for suchother purposes as above suggested.

The general object of my invention is the provision of a simple andhighly eflicient device of the kind referred to. More particularly oneof my objects is to provide a self-closing device, by which I mean, adevice the nozzle of which automatically closes when the pressure withinthe gun is relieved. Other objects and important features of theinvention are hereinafter fully set forth and illustrated in theappended drawing, of which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of 20 a device embodyingthe invention,

Fig. 2 illustrates, on a larger scale, the nozzle construction of thedevice, and

Fig. 3 is an end view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, in direction of thearrows.

frame 1, a nozzle structure 2, and a connecting hose 3. The frame is atthe rear end shaped for attachment to a device for delivering fluidunder high pressure, and it includes a dispensing valve which may be ofany suitable construction and which terminates in a plunger 4 foroperation by a lever 5. The latter is shown pivotally mounted to swingwithin a guard 6 of the frame. The latter is made with a hand grip 7,and this grip and the lever 5 are conveniently positioned and arrangedfor one-hand operation.

The end of the lever 5 is made with a groove shaped to ride on a ridge 8of the frame guard. This is very important because experience has shownthat, without such guide, it does not take long for the lever fulcrumjoint to wear sufficiently to throw the lever out of line with plunger4, when the lever is manipulated by the closing fingers of the operator,which have a tendency to throw the lever to one side.

It is important to note, that the grip 7 is made with axially directedlayers of ribs 9 and 10, tapering towards the front. Particularly ingarages, where devices of this kind are much used for lubricatingautomobile engines and running gear, are these superimposed ribsadvantageous, as they effectively prevent slipping of greasy hands andinsure perfect control of the gun.

The construction of the nozzle 2, of my 1m- The device of my inventioncomprises a valve proved gun, is shown in Fig. 2 to comprise a taperingshell 12, internally threaded to engagescrew threads of the nozzle head2. In the annular space between these two parts, is seated a plugcomprising a disk shaped plate 13, from which a threaded hub 14 projectsforwardly. This plate is shown made with a. plurality of perforationsfor the passage of the fluid to be dispensed. A relatively powerfulspring 15 is shown having one end mounted on this hub by a simpleengagement of the hub threads with the windings of the spring. If thepitch and diameter of the two parts are properly proportioned, a verypowerful connection is made in this manner. A conical stopper 16 is madewith a hub portion 17, and this hub is similarly threaded to receive theforward end of the spring 15. This stopper normally maintains the gunnozzle closed but, as the spring is free to yield to the pressure of thedispensing fluid, while the valve 1 is open, itfollows that the stopperis free to move forward to permit ejection of this fluid.

When the valve is permitted to close, and the pressure behind thedispensing fluid thereby is relieved, it is found, that the tension ofthe spring 15 becomes sufficient instantly to close the orifice of thenozzle. The advantage of this construction should be clear to anyonefamiliar with the use of fluid dispensing guns. In ordinary guns, afterthe control valve becomes closed and the as pressure relieved, it isfound that the fluid continues to flow for a short space of time due,perhaps mostly to contraction of the hose from the valve to the nozzle,which hose had expanded slightly under the heavy pressure.

The nozzle of my invention must necessarily be largerv in diameter thanit would have to be without the self closing stopper feature. And it isfound that, when used as a grease gun, the openings into which thenozzle is insertable, are 5 smaller than the nozzle. In such cases itbecomes necesary to employ an adapter, and such adapter is in thedrawing shown to consist of an elbow 20, one leg of which is providedwith a tapering bore of a size to admit and fit the taper 1 of thenozzle shell 12. The other end of the elbow is shown tapering down tothe normal nozzle size, for insertion in such small openings. The elbowshape of this adapter is very advantageous, making' it convenient, by amere turning of the 5 adapter on the shell, to serve openings notreadily reached with a fixed nozzle. Particularly is this true inlubricating automobiles, where the operator is compelled to workunderneath the body of the car and has to reach around parts no to flndlubricating orifices positioned on top of such parts. With a fixednozzle this is extremely difficult to do.

The structure hereinbefore described issatisfactory in every respect.The spring 15 performs its function perfectly, eliminating waste offluid, after the valve is closed. But a spring might be defective, orthe plunger and spring connections might break down for some reason,permitting the stopper 16, and perhaps the spring, to be expelled withthe dispensed fluid. These expelled parts might then land in the gearsof the automobile and cause considerable damage.

To safeguard against such accident, I provide a check on the movement ofthe stopper 16, and such checking means is here shown to consist of arod 23, one end of which is anchored in the stopper 16. The latter ispreferably a die casting, in which case the rod may be inserted into themold before the metal is poured, to form a homogeneous part of thestopper. The opposite end of the rod is caused to pass through a centralbore of the plug 13, whereupon its end is bent, or upset, as indicatedat 24, to prevent removal of the rod from the plug. In such manner, themovement of the stopper is limited and damage due to breakage of theparts prevented.

In Fig. 3, the plug 13 is shown modified to form a, spider 25. This maybe found a better construction, where heavy grease is used, as it offersless resistance to the passage of the fluid.

I claim:

1. I na device for ejecting fluid under pressure, anozzle, a conicalstopper terminating in a threaded shank, a,spring support seated in thenozzle and having a similar threaded hub, and a helical spring havingits ends engaging the screw threads of said shank and hub to urge thestopper against'the mouth of the nozzle but capable of yielding to thepressure of the fluid forced through the device.

2. In a device for ejecting fluid under pressure, a nozzle, a conicalstopper for closing the mouth of said nozzle, and a coil spring one endof which is fastened to the stopper and the other end fastened to a partof the nozzle, said spring yieldingly urging the said stopper intoclosed position but able to yield to the pressure of the fluid impingingupon said stopper.

3. In a device for ejecting fluid under pressure, the combination withmeans for controlling the passage of the fluid, of a nozzle, a stopperfor closing the mouth of said nozzle, a coil spring one end of which isfastened to said stopper and the other to a part of the said nozzle,said spring yieldable to the pressure of the fluid against the saidstopper to permit the stopper toopen, and

means independent of said spring for limiting the yielding movement ofsaid stopper.

4. In a device for ejecting fluid under pressure, the combination withmeans for controlling the passage of the fluid, of a nozzle, a stopper,a coil spring one end of which is attached to said stopper and the otherend of which is fastened to a part of the said nozzle for the purposeof; yieldingly drawing the stopper against the nozzle mouth when thefluid pressure is relieved by said controlling means, and meansindependent of said spring for limiting the yielding movement of saidstopper.

5. In a device for ejecting fluid under pressure, a nozzle, a conicalstopper for closing the mouth of said nozzle, a perforated member seatedin the opposite end of the nozzle, and a coil spring one end of which isfastened to the said stopper and the other end to the said perforatedmember, said spring able to yield to the pressure of the fluid passingthrough said perforated member and impinging upon said stopper.

6. In a device for ejecting fluid under pressure, the combination withmeans for controlling the passage of the fluid, the end of said meanshaving screw threads, a nozzle internally threaded to engage said screwthreads, a perforated member held seated in said nozzle between ashoulder of the nozzle and the threaded end of said controlling means, astopper for closing the mouth of the nozzle, and a coil spring one endof which is fastened to said stopper and the other end to the saidperforated member.

7. In a gun for ejecting a fluid under pressure, manual means forcontrolling the flow of said 110 fluid, a nozzle, a conical stopper, asupport within the nozzle, a spring holding said nozzle suspended fromsaid support and pressed against the nozzle month, said spring beingcapable of yielding to the pressure of the fluid in the gun, a rod 115inwardly extending from said stopper and seated in said support, saidrod being shaped for limited axial movement within said support.

- 8. In a device for ejecting fluid under pressure,

a nozzle, means seated in the nozzle for closing 120 the nozzle mouthbut capable of yielding to the pressure of the fluid in the device, andan adapter seatable on the nozzle to reduce the size of the nozzle end.

9. In a device for ejecting a fluid under pressure, a nozzle, meansseated in the nozzle for closing the nozzle mouth but capable to yieldto the pressure of the fluid in the device, and an elbow shaped adapterhaving one end bored to flt the tapering outer surface of the nozzle andterminating ,at the other end in a reduced size nozzle.

ALBERT A. SMALLHOUSE.

